Many Christian churches will hold special services Wednesday to begin the 40-day season of Lent, a time of prayer and reflection before Easter. Beginning of Lent observed
with Ash Wednesday servicesStar-Bulletin staff
The tradition of marking the foreheads of worshippers with ashes will be observed at all Catholic churches as well as other congregations. "We receive the ashes as a sign of mortality and penitence, and as a remembrance of God's gracious gift of everlasting life through Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Tom Fujita, senior pastor of Nuuanu Congregational Church.
Other churches recall the historic practices of fasting and self-denial with weekly services that combine prayer and Scripture readings with a simple "monastic" meal.
St. Andrew's Cathedral will mark Shrove Tuesday, traditionally the day when rich foods were used up before the fasting began, with its annual pancake supper. Tickets are $4 for the meal served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Davies Hall.
Ash Wednesday at the Episcopal cathedral will include Eucharist and imposition of ashes at 7 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. A monastic meal will be served at 6 p.m. The Labyrinth will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. for meditative walking.
Other Ash Wednesday services include:
Christ Church Uniting Disciples and Presbyterians, Kailua, 7 p.m., a service of ash, water and oil.
Christ Lutheran Church in Mililani, 7:30 p.m., imposition of ashes. Mililani Presbyterian Church will join the service.
Makiki Christian Church, 5:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday service.
Nuuanu Congregational Church, 7 p.m., imposition of ashes.
Harris United Methodist Church, noon, service in the sanctuary. The 5:30 p.m. "Soup and Study" sessions in Miyama Hall continue each Wednesday.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7:15 p.m. service. A 6 p.m. soup supper and Lenten service will be held on the following Wednesdays.
St. John Lutheran Church in Kailua, noon and 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service. A 6 p.m. Lenten soup supper will be held each succeeding Wednesday.
Waipahu United Church of Christ, 7 p.m. "service of ashes."
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